Mols says Rangers aren't at Celtic's level

Speaking to the Glasgow Evening Times, Rangers legend Michael Mols has said that Ibrox fans shouldn't get overly excited about next season, suggesting a "big gap" remains between their club and Celtic.

Both Glasgow enemies are set to renew hostilities on a fairly regular basis next season after Rangers won the Scottish Championship to seal their Premiership return.

Rangers beat Celtic on penalties to reach to the Scottish Cup final in April, a game in which the Hoops had to come from behind twice to perhaps suggest Mark Warburton has bridged the gap to their quality over the past 12 months or so.

The Gers have enjoyed a productive transfer window thus far, adding the likes of Jordan Rossiter and Joey Barton after Matt Crooks and Josh Windass signed pre-contract agreements with the club earlier this year.

Indeed, the signs are positive that Rangers can challenge Celtic next term, but the Dutchman, who spent five years at Ibrox, says that his former supporters must be realistic in their expectations.

“Of course the Old Firm win was good against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final, but it was a difficult game.

“I think they need to step up a little bit more to compete with Celtic again. I think there is still a big difference. Maybe Celtic didn’t play really good at the semi-final. But we shouldn’t get over-excited by that result, there is still a long way to go.”

Celtic - Brendan Rodgers Press Conference

Rangers will surely improve from last season, but so too will the Bhoys, who appointed Brendan Rodgers as their new manager following Ronny Deila's dismissal.

Either way, it promises to be an entertaining 2016-17 campaign in Scotland's top flight.

Shane Callaghan

Shane is a Dublin-based sports writer who swapped the football pitch for the press box upon learning that he was better with a pen than with a round bit of leather. Prior to joining HITC, Shane enjoyed spells with Sports Mole and Goal.com among others, while he was also club reporter for Irish football club Drogheda United.